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Expert says stress brought on by coronavirus crisis could lead to increase in domestic violence

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Updated: 10:19 PM CDT Apr 6, 2020

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ADVOCATES LOOKING TO HELP. PERRIS: THE CORONAVIRUS SITUATION HAVING FAMILIES STRESSED OUT, THAT ABSOLUTELY INCREASES THE RISK OF VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN. PERRIS: ANGELA BEATTY IS THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SERVICES AT THE YWCA. SHE SAYS THEY’VE BEEN SLAMMED OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS. >> THESE ARE STRESSFUL TIMES AND WE’VE DEFINITELY SEEN AN INCREASE IN PEOPLE SEEKING SERVICES ON OUR HOTLINES, WE’VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN PEOPLE WHO ARE UNSAFE AT HOME PERRIS: BEATTY TELLS ME FOR SOME DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS - STAYING AT HOME - EVEN IF IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE CAN BE DANGEROUS. >> YOU’RE FORCED IN A SITUATION WITH YOUR ABUSER WHERE YOU’RE AROUND EACH OTHER AND YOU DON’T REALLY HAVE THE RELIEF OF BEING OTHER PLACES. IT DOES CREATE A SITUATION ALMOST LIKE WHERE IT’S A POT READY TO BOIL OVER OR A POWDER KEG IS READY TO EXPLODE. PERRIS: SHE SAYS IF YOU’RE INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC SITUATION - CALL THEIR HOTLINE SO YOU CAN WORK WITH THEM ON A PLAN TO STAY SAFE. BEATTY ALSO SAYS SHE EXPECTS MORE PEOPLE TO REACH OUT AFTER THE STAY AT HOME ORDERS ARE LIFTED. >> WE DO OFTEN SEE THAT. JUST LIKE AFTER A HOLIDAY THERE’LL BE AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED OVER 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND OR LABOR DAY WEEKEND. PERRIS: I’M TOLD THE VIRUS WON’T CHANGE HOW MANY PEOPLE THE YWCA CAN BRING INTO THEIR SHELTERS. THEY ALSO TELL ME THEY’RE I NEED OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE SUPPLIES LIKE HAND SANITIZER, , MASKS AND GLOVES CLEANING SUPPLIES TO BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THOSE SHELTE

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Expert says stress brought on by coronavirus crisis could lead to increase in domestic violence

Oklahoma City police responded to more than 3,100 domestic violence calls last month, a number that increased by 300 from March of last year.An expert told KOCO 5 that the coronavirus pandemic could be linked to that increase."The coronavirus situation is having families stressed out," said Angela Beatty, senior director of Domestic Violence Victim Services at the YWCA. "That absolutely increases the risk of violence in families and violence against women and children."Beatty said the YWCA has been busy the past few weeks because of the coronavirus."These are stressful times, and we've definitely seen an increase in people seeking services on our hotlines," she said. "We've seen an increase in people who are unsafe at home."Beatty said staying at home, even if it's for a good cause, can be dangerous for some victims of domestic violence."You're forced in a situation with your abuser where you're around each other, and you don't really have the relief of being other places," Beatty said. "So, it does create a situation almost like where it's the pot is ready to boil over or powder keg is ready to explode."She said anyone involved in a domestic situation should call the YWCA's hotline at 1-800-522-7233 so it can help them on a plan to stay safe. Beatty also said she expects more people to reach out after the stay-at-home orders are lifted."We do often see that just like after a holiday there'll be an influx of people saying this is what happened over the Fourth of July weekend or Labor Day weekend," Beatty said.The virus won't change how many people the YWCA can bring into its shelters. Beatty also said the YWCA is in need of some personal protective equipment such as hand sanitizer, masks, gloves and cleaning supplies to better serve victims.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Oklahoma City police responded to more than 3,100 domestic violence calls last month, a number that increased by 300 from March of last year.

An expert told KOCO 5 that the coronavirus pandemic could be linked to that increase.

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"The coronavirus situation is having families stressed out," said Angela Beatty, senior director of Domestic Violence Victim Services at the YWCA. "That absolutely increases the risk of violence in families and violence against women and children."

Beatty said the YWCA has been busy the past few weeks because of the coronavirus.

"These are stressful times, and we've definitely seen an increase in people seeking services on our hotlines," she said. "We've seen an increase in people who are unsafe at home."

Beatty said staying at home, even if it's for a good cause, can be dangerous for some victims of domestic violence.

"You're forced in a situation with your abuser where you're around each other, and you don't really have the relief of being other places," Beatty said. "So, it does create a situation almost like where it's the pot is ready to boil over or powder keg is ready to explode."

She said anyone involved in a domestic situation should call the YWCA's hotline at 1-800-522-7233 so it can help them on a plan to stay safe. Beatty also said she expects more people to reach out after the stay-at-home orders are lifted.

"We do often see that just like after a holiday there'll be an influx of people saying this is what happened over the Fourth of July weekend or Labor Day weekend," Beatty said.

The virus won't change how many people the YWCA can bring into its shelters. Beatty also said the YWCA is in need of some personal protective equipment such as hand sanitizer, masks, gloves and cleaning supplies to better serve victims.